Women engineers encouraged to put innovations to work
Aanyu hailed the conference for creating opportunities for students through sustainable engineering.
Kyambogo University lecturer, Prof Mercy Kitimbo, patron of the Women in Engineering Association, handing over a certificate to a student at the conference on September 11, 2026. (Photos by Silvano Kibuuka)
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Competitive integration into the job market remains a challenge for women engineers, one of the reasons the Women in Engineering Association (KYUWE) was established at Kyambogo University.
The student association seeks to empower young women engineers as they complete their studies and prepare to compete in the job market amid challenges related to creativity, innovation and employability.
At the third edition of the Kyambogo University Women in Engineering Conference held on September 11, 2026, the new KYUWE president, Deborah Aanyu, hailed the conference for creating opportunities for students through sustainable engineering.
“From the different speakers from the government and private sector, the students get motivated through interaction and networking for career guidance. They also receive opportunities for internships and carrying out research at their companies,” Aanyu said.
Some of the students at the Women In Engineering conference at Kyambogo University with their parton, Prof Mercy Kisembo, Sept 11 2026.
“Many students use, for example, AI to innovate things, but the information just sits on their laptops, phones, and in the library. The young engineers, especially women, have also been guided on how to stand out among men, put their projects on display for companies, and remain relevant to sustainable development,” Aanyu added.
Basing his presentation on the theme, ‘Sustainable Engineering: From Digital Promise to Tangible Impact on a Resource-Constrained World,’ Tumanyane advised the students to be organised and work together to develop tangible and attractive solutions as they seek opportunities to promote themselves.
“They are looking at how to turn aspects from the digital promise into tangible things to achieve sustainable development, protect the climate, and address global challenges while ensuring that there is life, food, water, and energy. Design things that can solve a problem somewhere,” he said.
He also highlighted the concept of circular technology, where industries such as RENA, Crown Beverages and Kakira Sugar Works convert waste from their production processes into useful products, including fertilisers that can benefit the environment.
“Two heads are better than one. When you work alone, you may design something and look at the engineering concepts, chemicals, and production but miss out on other areas, for example, but collaboration ensures that everyone is looking at efficiency,” Tumanyane said.
He called for increased collaboration among industries, organisations and students to turn innovative ideas into practical solutions that can contribute to sustainable development.